The National Cancer Data Base report on the relationship of race and national origin to the histology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

This study was undertaken to clarify several aspects of morphological and taxonomic characters of Physaloptera bispiculata Vaz and Pereira, 1935, a parasite of the water rat, Nectomys squamipes. The cephalic structures (including lips, papillae, teeth, amphids, and porous areas) and details of the posterior end of male and female adult worms were examined by scanning electron microscopy, leading to the addition of new taxonomic characters for this species. We consider P. bispiculata a valid species, based on a comparative analysis of the specific characters for P. bispiculata and P. getula Seurat, 1917, including the morphology and morphometry of body structures as well as number and disposition of caudal papillae of the males.     

Prevalence and predictors of sexual dysfunction in long-term survivors of marrow transplantation

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence of sexual difficulties in men and women after marrow transplantation (MT), and to define medical, demographic, sexual, and psychologic predictors of sexual dysfunction 3 years after MT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred seven adult MT patients were assessed pretransplantation. Survivors repeated measures of psychologic and sexual functioning at 1 and 3 years posttransplantation. RESULTS: Data were analyzed from 102 event-free 3-year survivors who defined themselves as sexually active. Men and women did not differ in sexual satisfaction pretransplantation. At 1 and 3 years posttransplantation, women reported significantly more sexual dysfunction than men. Eighty percent of women and 29% of men reported at least one sexual problem by 3 years after MT. No pretransplantation variables were significant predictors of 3-year sexual satisfaction for women. For men, pretransplantation variables of older age, poorer psychologic function, not being married, and lower sexual satisfaction predicted sexual dissatisfaction at 3 years (R2=.28; P < .001). Women who were more dissatisfied 3 years after MT did not receive hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at 1 -year posttransplantation and were less satisfied at 1 year, but not pretransplantation (R2=.35; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Sexual problems are significant in the lives of MT survivors, particularly for women. Although HRT before 1 year posttransplantation improves sexual function, it does not ensure sexual quality of life. Intervention for women is needed to apply hormonal, mechanical, and behavioral methods to prevent sexual difficulties as early after transplantation as possible.     

Molecular regulation of cell-cycle progression and apoptosis in mammalian cells: implications for biotechnology

Regulation of the cell cycle and of programmed cell death (apoptosis) is essential for mammalian development and homeostasis. Furthermore, this regulation is fundamental to successful cell culture technology and tissue engineering. Therefore the molecular networks which regulate these processes are critical targets for drug development, gene therapy, and metabolic engineering. This review summarizes the genes, proteins, and interactions presently known to control apoptosis and cell-cycle progression. Knowledge of the networks summarized here and access to the component genes and proteins have already been applied successfully to guide research and development in bioprocess technology and medical treatment.     

Disposition of 14C-eptifibatide after intravenous administration to healthy men

Eptifibatide, a synthetic peptide inhibitor of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor, has been studied as an antithrombotic agent in a variety of acute ischemic coronary syndromes. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the disposition of 14C-eptifibatide in man after a single intravenous (i.v.) bolus dose. 14C-Eptifibatide (approximately 50 microCi) was administered to eight healthy men as a single 135-microgram/kg i.v. bolus. Blood, breath carbon dioxide, urine, and fecal samples were collected for up to 72 hours postdose and analyzed for radioactivity by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Plasma and urine samples were also assayed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry for eptifibatide and deamidated eptifibatide (DE). Mean (+/- SD) peak plasma eptifibatide concentrations of 879 +/- 251 ng/mL were achieved at the first sampling time (5 minutes), and concentrations then generally declined biexponentially, with a mean distribution half-life of 5 +/- 2.5 minutes and a mean terminal elimination half-life of 1.13 +/- 0.17 hours. Plasma eptifibatide concentrations and radioactivity declined in parallel, with most of the radioactivity (82.4%) attributed to eptifibatide. A total of approximately 73% of administered radioactivity was recovered in the 72-hour period following 14C-eptifibatide dosing. The primary route of elimination was urinary (98% of the total recovered radioactivity), whereas fecal (1.5%) and breath (0.8%) excretion was small. Eptifibatide is cleared by both renal and nonrenal mechanisms, with renal clearance accounting for approximately 40% of total body clearance. Within the first 24 hours, the drug is primarily excreted in the urine as unmodified eptifibatide (34%), DE (19%), and more polar metabolites (13%).     

Lens transmission by fluorophotometry after brachytherapy and thermotherapy of choroidal melanoma

We studied the effect of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) by a diode laser at 810 nm combined with episcleral ruthenium-106 plaque treatment (106Ru) on lens transparency in patients with choroidal melanoma. Lens transmission of blue-green light was measured by fluorophotometry in 17 patients treated with 106Ru treatment and TTT (measured 0.36 years after treatment), 12 patients treated with 106Ru alone (measured 19 years after treatment) and 25 age-matched healthy controls. Differences in lens transmission were not significant between treated and untreated fellow eyes (p > 0.15) nor between patient and control eyes (p > 0.25). TTT of choroidal melanoma combined with 106Ru plaque irradiation did not have a significant effect on the lens transparency up to 6 years after treatment.     

Comparison of epirubicin and doxorubicin cardiotoxicity induced by low doses: evolution of the diastolic and systolic parameters studied by radionuclide angiography

This article reports on the effect of dietary modification on changes in eating patterns and serum lipids among hypercholesterolemic persons aged 40-59 years with no evidence of coronary heart disease in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, between 1995 and 1996. A total of 381 persons with total cholesterol levels > or = 240 mg/dl and triglyceride levels < 400 mg/dl were educated, counseled, and followed-up by the mobile health team at the health centres in the communities. The team comprised both hospital personnel (a physician, a health educator, and public health nurses) and the health centre workers. Of the 381 study persons, 331 (86.9%) completed the one-year follow-up. The participants at one-year follow-up were more likely than at baseline to reduce intakes of dietary fat and cholesterol, whereas, there was an increased intake of vegetables and fruits. The mean total cholesterol level significantly decreased from 258.9 mg/dl at baseline to 236.1 mg/dl at one-year follow-up (p < 0.01), giving an 8.8 per cent reduction. The mean change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was a 26.0 mg/dl decrease (p < 0.01), yielding a 15.1 per cent fall. The mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased from 44.6 mg/dl at baseline to 46.8 mg/dl at one-year follow-up (p < 0.01). The proportion of those who had a body mass index of < 25 slightly increased from 70.7 per cent at baseline to 72.5 per cent at one-year follow-up. The dietary intervention program by the mobile team may be useful for lowering serum cholesterol among the rural population with hypercholesterolemia.